There are a few ways to acquire a Wurlitzer electronic piano. For instance, you could find an unrestored Wurlitzer online, you could buy a restored Wurlitzer from us, or we could help you source one through our sourcing service.

No matter how you acquire your Wurlitzer, we provide parts and repair help that can make your keyboard sound its best. But, before you enjoy a Wurlitzer, you of course need to get your hands on one first. That's what the rest of this guide is about.

A historical accident—or, why Wurlitzers are so hard to track down

A Wurlitzer electronic piano is one of the best things anyone can ever buy. It has arguably the most iconic sound of any instrument in existence, and yet it was basically invented by accident. It was supposed to be a low-cost portable thing to fill out Wurlitzer's electronic instrument lineup—something with keys a person that could bang on at home and make a vaguely piano-like sound. Only Wurlitzer could make such a thing, because they had both an extremely sophisticated acoustic piano factory and longstanding investment into electronics R&D.

The electronic piano was just about the cheapest thing that Wurlitzer sold. But, thanks to the combination of its simplified wooden piano action, electrostatic pickup, and analog electronics, the Wurlitzer electronic piano ended up being one of the most amazing musical innovations since Bartolomeo Cristofori put hammers on a harpsichord. It sounds like absolutely nothing else on earth.

Naturally, the Wurlitzer is no longer made anymore. Once digital instruments made it possible to reproduce a literal piano sound, the original purpose of the Wurlitzer electronic piano was suddenly obsolete. Then, in the mid-1980s, the Wurlitzer Company folded. Production of the electronic piano ceased. (Technical support was taken over by a network of small shops such as Morelock's Organ Service—but that's another story.)

At this point, the Wurlitzer electronic piano has been out of production for the past forty years. Even if it came back, it wouldn't be the same. A manufacturer would need to invest in a multitude of tooling and research that came naturally to Wurlitzer—a company that had been around for 100 years making a variety of stuff (radios, carousels, theater organs, grandfather clocks) before they ever started making the electronic piano at all.

The upside is the Wurlitzer made a lot of electronic pianos. If you want one, you can find one. It will take a little bit of digging, and any Wurlitzer found as-is will probably have a lot of issues. But, as long as your Wurlitzer more or less has all of its pieces, it's possible to fix it up and make it play like did when it was new. And then you're the owner of the greatest musical instrument of all time.

How to get your hands on a Wurlitzer electronic piano

If you want a Wurlitzer electronic piano, you have to source a vintage one. You can buy one that's restored, or you can look for one on a platform like Facebook Marketplace. Note that restoration means different things to different people; there is no one standard. (Learn more about our standard of restoration here.)

The first step is to determine what kind of Wurlitzer you want. The Wurlitzer Company produced electronic pianos for around 30 years, and repeatedly revised the technology. Earlier models such as the Wurlitzer 112 and 120 have a very unique sound and cool midcentury style, but are somewhat more difficult to play due to their clunky action. 200-series Wurlitzers have the iconic plastic-top look, a high-level of playability, and more recording potential due to their updated electronics. The 140-series is a bridge between the early and late generations. They have a midcentury look and a 200-style feel—perfect for anyone who wants a unique-looking instrument without compromising on piano-like functionality.

Determine which model of Wurlitzer is right for you →

Next, determine what level of restoration you want. This depends on how you plan to use the instrument, how exacting your expectations are, and how much DIY you're willing to invest. Tropical Fish offers several options for acquiring fully-restored Wurlitzer electronic pianos. Or, you can look for your own on a website like Facebook Marketplace.

Determine what level of restoration is right for you →

Buying options

Let Tropical Fish handle the sourcing & restoration for you

Tropical Fish has years of experience seeking out exceptional electronic pianos. Because time affects all instruments differently, every Wurlitzer is essentially one-of-a-kind. We've driven thousands of miles to pick up interesting electronic pianos that had rare features or excellent repair potential. Because we have plenty of experience with freight and international shipping, we are also able to send restored Wurlitzers just about anywhere.

We tailor our restoration to the needs of our clients, always ensuring a high standard of tone and playability. Because a Wurlitzer electronic piano has a piano action, they are capable of a high level of touch-responsiveness—a factor that we bring out to the best of our ability. In models where the original amplifiers do not interface well with current recording technology, we are able to replace them with full-featured custom amplifiers.

Wurlitzer sourcing & restoration services →

Find your own Wurlitzer electronic piano

If you prefer to track down your own Wurlitzer, check online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and Reverb. If you don't see anything that really speaks to you, check regularly for a few weeks. Affordable keyboards in great condition get snatched up very quickly. Sellers with excellent keyboards at a higher price point may become more flexible on price, shipping, or add-ons. See tips on buying a keyboard from an independent seller →